A violent thug knocked out a defenceless woman with one punch before stealing her kebab - but left behind her phone and purse.

Nikita Jackson was walking in Friar Gate at around 3am when she was punched in the face by a random attacker.

The 48-year-old mum was left with a broken jaw, four broken teeth and blood pouring down her face as a group of students helped her and rushed to find the police.

Following the attack on August 17, Ms Jackson went under the knife for seven hours and spent several days in hospital. A severed nerve has also her left with a lack of feeling in her jaw which doctors say may never come back.

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In the days since the incident Ms Jackson has mostly been confined to her home off Ashbourne Road. She also missed out on her parents' golden wedding anniversary because she was too unwell.

She said: "It's a matter of getting on with it, really.

"All the family was at the anniversary except me, so that was upsetting."

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police confirmed that members of the public flagged down patrolling officers to help Ms Jackson, who is unemployed due to ill health, after the attack.

She said: “Officers provided first aid at the scene and the victim later sought medical help. We have spoken to her about the assault and taken steps to identify the men responsible."

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